NY writer faces tougher indictment, accusing him of luring foreign women to US for sex

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – A New York writer facing a state indictment of luring young women from overseas, then sexually abusing them, now faces a federal indictment on similar charges but carrying tougher penalties.

Sixty-six-year-old Joseph Yannai (YAH'-nay) of Pound Ridge was indicted by the state last spring on counts including labor trafficking and sexual abuse of women from Hungary, France and Brazil. The federal indictment, announced Tuesday, does not specify the countries. But if convicted, Yannai could be sentenced to life in prison and could lose his house.

Prosecutors say that after his arrest he showed signs of a stroke and was hospitalized. His lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Yannai wrote a reference guide to the world's top chefs called "The International Who's Who of Chefs 2004-2005."